Day 38: Maundy Thursday, April 13, 2017, #Lent Devotion

Posted on Apr 13, 2017 in BLOG, Devotions |

Day 38: Thursday, April 13, 2017

A Maundy Thursday Prayer for Meditation

“MAUNDY” is derived from the Latin word for commandment, “mandatum.” It was on this day that Jesus gave his disciples what he called a “new command”: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus imparts his understanding of this commandment by instituting the Eucharist. In John’s Gospel he demonstrates it by washing the feet of the disciples. We will receive the sacrament of Holy Communion on this sacred day.
 
We praise you, O Lord, for your gift of Christian community, and we thank you as we humbly, and with reverence, celebrate Christ’s initiation of our communal Eucharist. May we never fail to be grateful for the diverse people who make up the body of Christ, and sustain our faith in each other at times when we disagree. In the face of disappointments and betrayals keep us thankful for the new commandment Christ has given us, and help us to better love each other as he has loved us, with a sacrificial and unconditional love. As we struggle with doubts and fears, help us to trust that you will always provide the nourishment we need. We ask this in the name of your son, Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.
 
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Day 37: Wednesday, April 12, 2017, #Lent Devotion

Posted on Apr 12, 2017 in BLOG, Devotions | Tags: 

Day 37: Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Rev. Sela Finau
 
Foot Washing
 
Scripture: John 13:5-8 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.”
 
Devotional: A few years ago when I was a student at Perkins School of Theology@SMU, we had a foot washing worship service. I was intrigued by what this service would offer since I had not experienced one prior, so between classes I attended this service. I was surprised to see that many of my professors and the Dean were present. I thought to myself, “Oh this would be interesting.” When it came time for the foot washing ceremony, we simply got in line and made our way forward. There were two basins of water and clean towels for the two lines we formed. The person in front of me would wash my feet, and I in return would wash the person’s feet that was behind me. The person in front of me was one of my professors. The experience played out in my mind that this professor was my teacher and was similar to Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. Jesus had set an example for his disciples to follow.
 
Yet, so many of us would probably feel uncomfortable in carrying out Jesus’ teaching literally. Foot washing was a sign of hospitality in the ancient world. The host provided water and cloth, and then the guests washed themselves or allowed a servant to wash them. Jesus’ point of foot washing was serving one another out of love. He called his disciples to a deeper level of love, humility, and service. Jesus calls us to love him and be willing to serve one another with humility and complete love.
 
In this season of Lent, may we humble ourselves as Jesus did and offer hospitality and love to others by serving them.
 
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for your gift of love and service. Continue to teach us your ways so that we may also do likewise. Amen
 
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Day 36: Tuesday, April 11, 2017, #Lent Devotion

Posted on Apr 11, 2017 in BLOG, Devotions |

Day 36: Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Rev. Sela Finau
Global
 
Scripture: Psalm 19:1 The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament[a] proclaims his handiwork.

Devotion: While in seminary I worked at nights, and before you start wondering “what kind of job?” I will soon explain. Needless to say, working at nights had not always been a pleasant experience, especially working 12-hour nights and being up for more than 24 hours at a time. That is never good for the body, mind, and spirit. Nevertheless, that had been my work schedule for about 5 years. I had to find employment that would work with my seminary school schedule. How I managed seminary work, work in a church, and that overnight job was beyond me. That is one of those things I consider a God thing.

In any case, I realized early on, working in the financial industry specifically a brokerage firm, that while America slept, the rest of the world was awake, from Asia to the Pacific to Europe, and that we were all connected in this global network, financial or otherwise. That meant that what happened around the world affected the U.S., and vice versa. I thought what happens to us as individuals and a people affects God.

One of the benefits of having worked from evening till dawn (7 to 7) was that I was privileged to see many sunsets, sunrises, endless clouds and skies in incredibly astonishing colors and forms. Each time I saw it, whether I was on my way to work or on my way home, I was always in awe of the beauty of creation and how fortunate we are to be given the opportunity to witness the splendor and magnificence of this world that we live in. Since moving here to Taylor, I have enjoyed the sunsets. I pondered on how amazing it is that we’re all connected to the sun and endless clouds in the skies, giving us a glimpse of God’s glory.

I am reminded of how humanity seem insignificant in the midst of vast stretches of the cosmos and time and space. I thought about how we’re all tiny specs in this big cosmos, but I am always comforted in knowing that God takes notice of us and journeys with us each and every day and watches over us whether we’re asleep or awake.

Prayer: Creator God, we give you thanks for all of creation, and we give you thanks for the gift of life. This Lenten season, a time of self-reflection, a time of growth and renewal, open our eyes, ears, minds, and hearts, so that we may live into what you have created us to be. Amen
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Holy Week Worship Schedule

Posted on Apr 10, 2017 in BLOG, Latest News, Upcoming Events | Tags: 

Holy Week Schedule

  • Holy Monday, April 10, 2017, No Church Meetings
  • Holy Thursday, April 13, 2017, Maundy Thursday Service, 7:00 p.m. at FUMC
  • Holy Friday, April 14, Good Friday Service, 7:00 p.m. at Tenth St. UMC
  • Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017
    • Breakfast 8:30
    • Easter Egg Hunt 9:30
    • Worship Service 10:30 a.m. 

Day 35: Monday, April 10, 2017, #Lent Devotion

Posted on Apr 10, 2017 in BLOG, Devotions |

Week 7
Holy Week

Day 35: Monday, April 10, 2017
Rev. Sela Finau

Prayer

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13 Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.

Devotional: Many people are not comfortable with public prayer. One reason is that they were never taught how to pray. Even the disciples asked Jesus how to pray. He, then, taught them the Lord’s Prayer. But prayer is more than a formatted prayer. Prayer is not simply asking. Prayer is not a monologue. Prayer is more than a conversation. Prayer is also listening and putting ourselves in the hands of God at God’s disposition, and listening to God’s voice in the depth of our hearts.
 
I am reminded of the five finger prayer, the easiest way to remember who to include in our prayers.
  1. The thumb is the closest finger to you. So start praying for those who are closest to you.
  2. The next finger is the index or pointer finger. Pray for those who teach you and points you towards God. This includes your pastor and teachers. Always keep them in your prayers.
  3. The following finger is the tallest. It reminds us of our leaders, the President, Congress, State and Local Officials. Also pray for world leaders. They all need God’s guidance.
  4. The fourth finger is our weakest finger. It should remind us to pray for the weakest, the sick or those afflicted with problems. They need your prayers.
  5. And finally we have our smallest finger, the smallest of all. Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. When you are done praying for the other four groups, you will be able to see your own needs but in the proper perspective, and also you will be able to pray for your own needs in a better way.

Prayer: God, continue to teach us how to pray and who to pray for. Amen

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Sunday, April 9, 2017

Posted on Apr 9, 2017 in BLOG, Devotions |

Palm Sunday, April 9, 2017

A Palm Sunday Prayer for Meditation

Eternal God, today we are filled with high energy as we celebrate with joy your triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Yet that same joy quickly turned to pain. May we be reminded that while our emotions can quickly change, your faithfulness and love remain true. May your giving of your life inspire us to give ourselves for others. When the struggles of life seem to remove our hope, may you give us the strength and courage to continue on. Amen


Day 34: Saturday, April 8, 2017, #Lent Devotion

Posted on Apr 8, 2017 in BLOG, Devotions |

Day 34: Saturday, April 8, 2017
Rev. Bob Walker
 
Love Like This
 
Scripture: “This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15: 12-13 NRSV
 
Devotion: I have sat with a war veteran and allowed him to cry like a baby when remembering those with whom he served who did not come home alive. When called a hero he invariably answers, “I am no hero, those who gave the last full measure are the heroes.” Now most of us will not be asked to give up our lives for Christ, but He asks us every day to live our lives for Him and only Him! Jesus asked us to love one another and by that love the world would know we are His. Do you love the world? Not just your neighbor, which may be hard enough depending on who your neighbor is. But do you love the one who runs all the way down the line in the right lane and then cuts in front of you after you’ve sat there a long time waiting to make your way? Do you love those who are not so love worthy? We cannot do this unless we know that Jesus first loved us. It is because we are loved that we can love. And we must remember that Jesus does not ask us to feel warmly predisposed toward the other, just to do what is in his/her best interest. Love your neighbor (all folk) as He has first loved us.
 
I don’t know about you, but I do not deserve the Love of God that Jesus has for me! I never served in combat so I do not know the love of one who gave his live for me except for Jesus. And then there are those who love me in spite of myself: my mom, my wife, et al. Makes me feel humble. If God loves me like this surely I can try to love that one too!!!
 
Prayer: For your love we give you thanks, O Lord. Now, let us pass it on. AMEN.
 
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Day 33: Friday, April 7, 2017, #Lent Devotion

Posted on Apr 7, 2017 in BLOG, Devotions |

Day 33, Friday, April 7, 2017
Rev. Sela Finau
Companionship
Scripture: Luke 24:13-15, 28-29 13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them.
 
28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29 But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them.
 
Devotional: There are times when we all long for the companionship of Christ. When we are facing some deep loneliness that seems to darken the brightest day, some great sorrow that has broken our heart and changed our lives, or some heavy burden that comes through no action or fault of our own. At times like these we long for the presence of the one who speaks our name, understand our plight, and can break the hold of loneliness, sorrow, despair, and burdens we bear.
 
There are other times when we are at the peak of our powers and all is going well that we want someone to walk with us, to share the challenge, excitement, and reward of the path we have chosen. We desire a companion who can appreciate the challenge and victory of life in the days when all is well.
 
There are still other times when we need a companion to whom we can say thank you. There are those times when we are overwhelmed with gratitude. We know that the goodness we enjoy is not just the result of our good work but that someone else had a hand in our well-being, comfort, and success.
 
At times like these it is good to remember that the risen Christ walks beside us—awaiting our invitation to stay with us, break bread with us, interpret life for us, give us hope, and share in our thanksgiving.
 
As we continue with our walk this Lenten Season, may we, like the disciples before us, have our eyes opened to recognize Christ as he comes to walk beside us this day.
 
Prayer: Oh God, forgive us when we fail to recognize you, when we fail to recognize you in others. Continue to walk with us and help us to see. Amen
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Holy Week As Told Through Children’s Handprints

Posted on Apr 6, 2017 in BLOG, Latest News | Tags: ,

Holy Week Re-Told through Children’s Handprints!

 

Day 32: Thursday, April 6, 2017, #Lent Devotion

Posted on Apr 6, 2017 in BLOG, Devotions | Tags: ,

Day 32, Thursday, April 6, 2017
Rev. Sela Finau
Gray
Scripture: Psalm 39:7 “And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.”
Proverbs 16:31 “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.”

Devotional: Growing up, I was privileged to always be surrounded by older folks, including my grandmother, Ana, and numerous aunts and uncles, and then my parents. I remember as they got older, they often dealt with aches and pains of old age.

The years flew by for this older generation as they continued to deal with health issues, and not being able to get around quite as easily as before. They were suddenly faced with their own mortality. On Ash Wednesday, we were all confronted with our own mortality, remembering that, “we are dust, and to dust we shall return.”

What does God expect from people of this older generation? What do they expect from God? What do we expect from God and what’s expected of us? The truth is, no matter how gray our hair gets, God always sees us as a child. God sees our potential and possibilities until the day we die. God walks with us every step of the way, even when we don’t walk and move as fast as we did twenty or thirty years ago.

The gift of aging is the one called life. We have the opportunity to grow in awareness, wisdom, and experience. We have learned things that others need to know and God gives us the chance to share those things with those around us. May we share our hopes, dreams, fear, and love with others. May we share our wisdom and experiences with those around us. May we share our God stories with all those that we encounter.

In this season of Lent, remember that age is a number that reflects the number of years that God has blessed and gifted us life. May we share our life stories with others. May we remember these words from Proverbs 16:31 “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.”

Prayer: Dear God, as we age, we may experience fear, loneliness, and other emotions, help us to remember that we are never alone but that you knew us before we were born, knows us by name, and you will continue to be with us until you call us home. Amen

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